Frequently Asked Questions
WHO CAN ATTEND EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY?
For many people, coming to terms with their innermost struggles can be a daunting task, which is why Horse Connection is here to help. Our Equine Assisted Therapy program is a holistic approach that addresses the mind, the body and the soul. We welcome anyone who needs support in managing their emotions and overcoming their obstacles. Our equine assisted therapy is an ideal alternative for individuals looking to take a natural, non-invasive approach to therapy, and we are proud to offer our program to anyone who is seeking positive change in their lives.
HOW LONG WILL EACH SESSION LAST?
Each client will have an initial session, which is 1.5 hours long and priced pro rata.
All other sessions are 45 - 90 minutes long (adjusted according to the age and needs of the client)
The number of planned sessions is tailored to each client's personal needs.
Programmed sessions
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Horse Wisdom - 10 sessions
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Grief counselling - A PLAN - minimum eight sessions
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Support Groups - 10 weeks
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Other DBT-informed group sessions, as required
DO YOU ACCEPT NDIS CLIENTS?
NDIS clients who are self-managed or plan-managed are eligible for both clinical counselling and Equine Assisted Counselling/Psychotherapy.
The Counsellor will bill the Plan Managers or the individual directly. Payment is expected on the day for individuals (self-managed); and within seven days if plan-managed.
WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER BEEN NEAR A HORSE AND I AM FRIGHTENED?
Each person responds to being in the company of a horse differently. Some people are confident, and others are not. Some people have never been so close to such a large animal, and this can be frightening. That's ok. It's all part of the learning and growing.
Clients can choose whether to engage with the horses or not, as part of their therapy journey. My two practices run side-by-side. Soul Sense (Australia) for clinical counselling (no animals involved) , and Horse Connection for Equine Assisted sessions where "Horses Help Humans Heal"
During an Equine Assisted session, you don't necessarily have to go anywhere near the horse(s) to benefit. Sometimes, just observing from a distance helps us learn something about ourselves or our own environment.
The session is directed by YOU the client. You chose how you wish to engage (or not). As co-facilitator with the horses, your therapist will guide you, encourage you, empower and support you as you learn about yourself and what is and what is not working for you.
DO YOU ACCEPT PAYMENT PLANS OR CONCESSION CARDS?
Accessing Counselling / Psychotherapy is often financially difficult. To assist my clients in whatever way I can, my pricing reflects the following :
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Rates are designed to cover what you might pay as a "gap" for medicare covered counselling
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Payment plans may be available. Please call me to discuss your circumstances.
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Credit Card and Debit Card payments are accepted
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Veteran Card holders enjoy a 10% discount
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Personal referrals - the referee receives 10% off their next appointment
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Multiple sessions (that are paid for in bulk up-front), receive 10% discount.
Pay It Forward scheme
A scheme whereby clients are encouraged to "Pay It Forward" by purchasing ONE session for someone they don't know.
When five such sessions have been bought, clients who are experiencing financial difficulty can apply for 1 - 5 sessions using the scheme funds against a 10 session bulk buy.
My dream is one day to be able to offer EVERY client to benefit from the scheme
WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVER MY THERAPY?
BREAKING NEWS!
The following medical insurance companies are now billable for counselling services.
Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA, CUA Health (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health, AIA and Westfund and BUPA
When booking your appointment, please provide your insurance details on the booking form..
HOW DO I BOOK AND APPOINTMENT?
There are a number of ways to book and appointment.
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You can email me at lea@horseconnection.com.au or
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text or call me on 0488-414-320 or
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you can use the booking form on this website
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Click the BOOK NOW button at the bottom of the page
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM AN EQUINE SESSION?
In a typical session, after a pre-brief in the office, the client and therapist will go out to the paddock to interact with the horses. This interaction may be from a distance - observing the herd, or up close and personal interacting with an individual horse. Some sessions are conducted with the horses at "liberty" (roaming free in their herd, or individual paddock) or a horse may choose to be haltered and interact one-on-one.
As we interact with the herd, we get to experience our emotions in a new way. A unique, non-judgemental, positive, safe way. This helps us understand ourselves better and leads to the possibility of accepting ourselves and others, challenges our behaviour patterns and brings healing and restoration to our world.
In the therapy session horses become our teachers and our role models. The herd communication system highlights our own way of communicating and by observing and interacting with the horses, we gain valuable insight into our own core beliefs and behavioural patterns.
Being with horses highlights the unspoken signals, attitudes and subtle body language changes that we unconsciously send out to the world around us. They model self-awareness and 'others awareness' and this provides fertile ground for our own learning, change and growth. Mutual respect and safety - is the goal and necessary attribute of a healthy relationship within the herd as it is in human relationships.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EAL and EAP and Riding for the Disabled?
EAL - Equine Assisted Learning - is conducted by a practitioner who does not necessarily have a therapeutic qualification. EAL offers the client a safe experience with horses as co-facilitators for the purposes of personal growth/skills development and professional skills development such as leadership or team building.
This level of therapy does not include psychotherapy or behaviour modification interventions, as EAL practitioners do not have formal training or certification in advanced therapeutic processes.
EAP - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy - is a therapy performed by qualified Counsellors, Psychotherapists Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists or Mental Health Workers who can be registered with their respective professional bodies.
This level of therapy utilises advanced psychotherapeutic strategies and interventions to assist the client in reaching their identified therapeutic goals. It may involve Family of Origin work, Attachment Theory, Trauma Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and other formal therapy models including elements of Transactional Analysis.
EAP practitioners must attend ongoing professional development and maintain their registration with their respective professional bodies as a requirement of their professional status.
RDA - Riding for the Disabled is a not-for-profit organisation supporting those with disabilities in interacting with horses. RDA provides hippotherapy, groundwork and ridden work.
It may be said that the focus of RDA is to improve mental and physical health through a ridden experience. In contrast, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy's focus is on improving mental health through interaction and feedback received from the horses with the distinct goal of psychotherapeutic interventions to produce a change in the way we view ourselves and the world around us.